Day 27: Breakfast

[lighthearted]

Day came too soon.

Sora hadn't been able to find Rena, had instead been forced to crumple onto the grass of the recreational field and bleed all over himself, and hadn't even accomplished what he'd been sent out to do. What he'd been entrusted to do. He didn't know how he was going to be able to face Renji and the others, but he also knew he wasn't going to hide from them, either. That would just be low, after all, and he was ready to face up to the consequences.

He didn't try to make excuses for himself. Even though there had been a Special Counseling patient, they had managed to take her down by sheer numbers. The fact that he hadn't seen any sign of Rena was what had him the most worried. He hoped he could find her today.

The boy laid in his bed for a good while that morning before his nurse finally came in to collect him. She clucked over the bandages wrapped tightly around his chest and leg, and asked him if he was okay to walk.

Once Sora assured her he was fine (he didn't really want to use crutches, as that would just attract attention to himself, and he didn't need others worrying over him), they made their way to the cafeteria. Sora yawned and winced against the bright light of morning - it seemed even earlier than usual, and he realized why when they entered the cafeteria and found it empty.

The boy shuffled over to grab a chocolate chip pancake, a bowl of cereal, and a glass of milk (good for the bones, or so his mom had always told him) before settling at a table. He kept an eye on the door, hoping he would see Rena walking in soon.

Comments

[muted-flame.livejournal.com]

For once, a conversation was going rather smoothly. Roy sat up in his seat when she agreed, and he seemed more interested than before when she hinted that she might be willing to make her participation in his group more permanent. They definitely needed more reliable people, and Integra seemed the sort that was on top of things and to the point.

"We aren't as large as the Arts and Crafts group, but that doesn't matter very much, since we work together with them. I've been trying to find more people willing to participate, so we can be on equal footing with them. Arts and Crafts is more well-known, so people tend to gravitate toward it, but I worry that it is going to get inflated at this rate." Hopefully his logic would make sense to her.

"If there's anything else you need to know about it, I'll certainly answer your questions." If there wasn't anything immediately important, this could wait, but he wouldn't mind being a little late to the next shift if it meant a successful recruitment.

[steel-maiden.livejournal.com]

The silly little code names were at least ones she’d noticed from the bulletin board. And yes, it’d seem there was much more discussion between the supposed members of the ‘Arts & Crafts’ club than any other. But by Mustang’s manner, he seemed to already be thinking just as she was. That too many operatives could sometimes be just as bad as not having enough.

If a faction were to fall, logic said it would first be the most bloated one. Joining anyone here was akin to forming an underground resistance faction during a war really. You wanted strength, but not so many numbers that the powers that loomed would take easy notice and infiltrate your ranks at once.

“A realistic sentiment, Colonel. I myself would prefer a single, skilled handful of officers rather than an entire fleet of garden variety soldiers on any mission.” But of course, Integra was a lover of efficiency. “And I’m sure not everyone here is even capable of doing more than get in the way when it comes down to it.” There were a lot of military backgrounds here, yes. But that didn’t guarantee a person who would know what to do on the front lines, or in as desperate of circumstance as this.

“If you wish to work together more regularly than the single night you’ve requested as payment, I have no argument to it. I’m not accustomed to affiliations outside my own organization, but my need to return home currently exceeds my pride.” The woman stated with a trace of cool humor, blue eyes still on the stranger though she knew the nurse would be interrupting them soon.

She could tell Mustang hoped for a commitment. “And I have no plans tonight.” It was as much of an open invitation as she’d ever give. Integra awaited his response.

[muted-flame.livejournal.com]

While he could relate to Integra's idea of having a small, efficient group, Roy couldn't be quite as picky here. He would have preferred that he didn't have only Hawkeye to support him, and that the rest of his team was here; he didn't like that he couldn't see what someone was capable of before adding them to his group, but none of them had the time for that sort of thing.

"I must say," he told her over a smile once she had finished, "it is comforting to be adding someone who seems so capable to my team." Some of them were just children that needed protection, after all, but he could tell that Integra would be an asset. It wasn't that he didn't appreciate the help of the others, but getting a true addition to the group was putting him in a better mood.

"By which I mean to say, I look forward to work together." All in all, this had become a rather productive morning.

[steel-maiden.livejournal.com]

Integra responded to the compliment with a raised eyebrow, hardly concerned with the fact that she’d yet to eat at all when it was now time to leave. “Oh, I doubt you’re that trusting.” Though to herself, she had no humble notions of being anything less than an exceptional soldier.

The tall blonde stood, pausing for a last question as she then collected her journal. “As I said though, I already have a weapon if you wish to go through with this cooperation beginning immediately. Should we find you tonight, Colonel?” Even if it meant following another’s plans, she wanted specific goals sooner than later. So far the most she and Alucard had done was wander each night...if they’d even made it out her room at all.

[muted-flame.livejournal.com]

Roy stood along with her, and while it was true that his trust wasn't given out easily, he could respect someone who seemed to have it all together and didn't beat around the bush when it came to dealings like this. Integra had succeeded on both counts.

"Keep an eye on the bulletin board. I'll put assignments up then," he informed her. He couldn't go along with the woman and her servant, as he had already told Greed that they could strike out together at nights, and four was a bit too large for a group. Hopefully Integra wouldn't mind being placed with another patient who she didn't know.